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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Required reading from the foremost authority on leadership,
By Gary Sutton (Los Alamitos, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Managing the Dream: Reflections on Leadership and Change (Paperback)
Don't be fooled by the book's title - this collection of essays is more about leadership and less about management. They are not the same. For instance, managers generally focus on the near-term whereas leaders usually take long-term perspectives; managers rely on systems and structures whereas leaders focus on recruiting outstanding individuals and empowering them; managers rely on control whereas leaders inspire trust; managers generally accept the status quo whereas leaders constantly challenge it.Particularly interesting is the author's take on Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Politics aside, Ellsberg exhibited true leadership, Bennis contends, when he morphed from "loyal insider to defiant outsider, from organization man to prison-risking dissident." McNamara, on the other hand, may have become equally disillusioned with the war effort in Vietnam, yet he succumbed to organizational pressures and continued to manage as best he could. Bennis, you might have guessed by now, loathes government bureaucracies and other large organizations - this story tips the iceberg on this and several other Bennis themes, like risk taking. Bennis bounces around from politics (both left and right), business, and sports to effectively communicate some very powerful messages. The core competencies of leadership apply not only to individuals but also to groups - "few great accomplishments are ever the work of a single individual." And who can argue - witness the Manhattan Project, Lockheed's Skunk Works, and even the Los Angeles Lakers. The ten principles of great groups is a must read for any working professional. The book is especially useful, however, for leaders and managers aspiring to be more effective leaders; I highly recommend it.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Bennis,
By A Customer
This review is from: Managing the Dream: Reflections on Leadership and Change (Paperback)
Some years ago, a friend gave me a copy of "On Becoming a Leader." While I wasn't much into leadership theory at the time, I was struck by Bennis' observation that most constructive leaders tended to be simply intent on expressing themselves fully, while most unhealthy/failed leaders tended to be bent on proving how great they were (ultimately to the detriment of themselves and others). Seemed to be wisdom that applied to everyone, not just leaders. Since then, I've become extremely impressed with Bennis' command of the history and psychology of leadership. This book covers all the bases -- essays that blend social science, personal experience and good old-fashioned wisdom. Most of the things I've read by the famous management experts are fluff and wishful thinking; but Bennis seems to have more depth and science at his disposal than the rest. I've already begun giving this book to friends who want to be better leaders and stewards.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read for any manager,
By A Customer
This review is from: Managing the Dream: Reflections on Leadership and Change (Paperback)
Whether you are a first-year MBA student or a management veteran, Warren Bennis is a must-read for anyone looking to unlock their leadership abilities. His newest collection of essays confirm his title as one of the most interesting and articulate management gurus today. He will entertain as well as engage your mind in how leadership continues to change and evolve in the 21st century.Add this to your summer reading list. You won't be disappointed.
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